Ezekiel 6 12

Ezekiel 6:12 kjv

He that is far off shall die of the pestilence; and he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine: thus will I accomplish my fury upon them.

Ezekiel 6:12 nkjv

He who is far off shall die by the pestilence, he who is near shall fall by the sword, and he who remains and is besieged shall die by the famine. Thus will I spend My fury upon them.

Ezekiel 6:12 niv

One who is far away will die of the plague, and one who is near will fall by the sword, and anyone who survives and is spared will die of famine. So will I pour out my wrath on them.

Ezekiel 6:12 esv

He who is far off shall die of pestilence, and he who is near shall fall by the sword, and he who is left and is preserved shall die of famine. Thus I will spend my fury upon them.

Ezekiel 6:12 nlt

Disease will strike down those who are far away in exile. War will destroy those who are nearby. And anyone who survives will be killed by famine. So at last I will spend my fury on them.

Ezekiel 6 verses

Ezekiel 6 12 meaning

Ezekiel 6:12 declares God's inescapable judgment upon the people of Israel due to their pervasive idolatry. It outlines the three primary modes of divine wrath—pestilence, sword, and famine—meted out according to their location and circumstances. Those who have been exiled or scattered will perish from disease, those remaining within the land will die by war, and those enduring the siege of Jerusalem will succumb to starvation. The verse emphasizes that no one, regardless of their location or status, will escape the full extent of God's just wrath for their rebellion.

Ezekiel 6 12 Context

Ezekiel chapter 6 is a direct prophecy against the idolatrous mountains of Israel, symbolizing the entire land and its people. God declares His intent to destroy the high places, altars, and idolatrous symbols that have defiled the land. This judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to persistent sin, particularly the worship of foreign deities. The chapter's primary theme is that "they shall know that I am the Lord"—that through the desolation, God's singular power and righteousness will be vindicated. Verse 12 serves as a comprehensive statement within this broader judgment, assuring that all inhabitants, regardless of their current location or situation, will face the consequences of their apostasy. Historically, Judah was rapidly approaching the final siege and destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC) by Babylon, following decades of spiritual decline and two previous exiles. The people still clung to false hopes, believing God would not completely abandon them or allow their holy city to fall, making this prophecy a stark rebuttal to such delusions.

Ezekiel 6 12 Word analysis

• He who is far off (הָרָחוֹק - ha-rāḥōq):
  • Literally "the far one." Refers to those geographically distant, perhaps scattered in previous exiles, fleeing to other nations like Egypt, or living in the outlying regions of Judah.
  • Significance: Denies any sanctuary by distance from the immediate conflict. Divine judgment transcends borders.
• shall die of pestilence (בַּדֶּבֶר יָמוּת - ba-dever yāmūt):
  • Dever (דֶּבֶר) means "pestilence," "plague," or "disease."
  • Significance: Common fate for exiles or refugees due to poor living conditions, lack of sanitation, and disease spread, reflecting a loss of God's protection.
• and he who is near (וְהַקָּרוֹב - wə-ha-qārōv):
  • Literally "and the near one." Refers to those in close proximity, specifically those dwelling within the main population centers, potentially outside Jerusalem's direct siege but still within the land of Judah.
  • Significance: Geographic proximity to the land offers no special protection.
• shall fall by the sword (בַּחֶרֶב יִפּוֹל - ba-ḥerev yippōl):
  • Ḥerev (חֶרֶב) means "sword." Yippōl means "he shall fall."
  • Significance: Direct consequence of warfare, invasion, and conquest by the Babylonian army. A violent, decisive end.
• and he who is left and is besieged (וְהַנִּשְׁאָר וְהַנָּצוּר - wə-ha-niš'ār wə-ha-nāṣūr):
  • Niš'ār (נִשְׁאָר) refers to "the one remaining" or "the remnant," those who have survived previous phases of judgment or remained in Jerusalem.
  • Nāṣūr (נָצוּר) means "the one besieged." Specifically points to those trapped within Jerusalem during the siege.
  • Significance: Addresses those in the seemingly most secure location (Jerusalem), but also those whose options have run out, now facing a drawn-out struggle.
• shall die of famine (בָּרָעָב יָמוּת - bā-rā'āv yāmūt):
  • Rā'āv (רָעָב) means "famine" or "hunger."
  • Significance: The inevitable and horrific outcome for inhabitants during a prolonged siege, illustrating utter deprivation and suffering.
• Thus will I spend my wrath upon them (וְכִלֵּיתִי חֲמָתִי בָּהֶם - wə-khillētî ḥămātî bāhem):
  • Killētî (כִּלֵּיתִי) from kālah, "to bring to an end," "to complete," "to exhaust."
  • Ḥămātî (חֲמָתִי) means "My wrath," "My hot anger."
  • Significance: God explicitly declares His personal agency and resolve to fully exhaust His righteous indignation. The judgment will be thorough and conclusive, ensuring no one escapes its appointed measure.

Words-group analysis:

• "He who is far off shall die of pestilence": Addresses the diaspora, refugees, and those thinking they are safe due to distance. Their end will be disease, a common plight for displaced populations.
• "and he who is near shall fall by the sword": Refers to those still within Judah but outside the immediate capital. Their end will be violent conquest by the invading army.
• "and he who is left and is besieged shall die of famine": Designates those trapped inside Jerusalem. Their end will be the slow, agonizing death from starvation inherent in prolonged sieges.
• "Thus will I spend my wrath upon them": This concluding phrase affirms divine sovereignty and certainty over all the specific judgments mentioned. It underscores that these are not random calamities but the deliberate, exhaustive fulfillment of God's holy anger against sustained rebellion. The comprehensive nature of the judgment signifies its finality and its source.

Ezekiel 6 12 Bonus section

The "three terrible judgments" of sword, famine, and pestilence are a recurrent theme in prophetic books, particularly Jeremiah and Ezekiel. This triad functions as a comprehensive divine arsenal for judgment, emphasizing God's control over life and death from every conceivable angle. They are often listed together to signify the complete and overwhelming nature of divine punishment for national apostasy. The specific pairing of each judgment with a particular circumstance in Ez 6:12 highlights God's meticulous justice, showing that He apportions suffering precisely to their situation, thus leaving no doubt that escape is futile. This verse underscores that salvation from these ultimate judgments is not found in physical escape but in repentance and returning to the Lord.

Ezekiel 6 12 Commentary

Ezekiel 6:12 vividly paints a comprehensive picture of unavoidable divine judgment, revealing God's absolute sovereignty over the fate of His people, Israel, in the face of their idolatry. It strategically details three distinct paths to destruction—pestilence, sword, and famine—ensuring that every segment of the population, regardless of their location or status, is covered. This means there is no geographic or strategic escape from the consequences of their unfaithfulness. Those distant and scattered (far off) will succumb to disease; those remaining in the open land (near) will face the immediate peril of warfare; and those entrenched within the presumed safety of the capital, Jerusalem, under siege (left and besieged), will suffer the slow agony of starvation. The stark reality is not just about the what but the who behind the judgment: "Thus will I spend my wrath upon them" affirms that this is God's deliberate act, fulfilling His warnings and righteous indignation. The precision of the prophecy demonstrates that God's justice is neither blind nor arbitrary but specific and purposeful, revealing to all "that I am the Lord." The verse acts as a strong polemic against any false sense of security or belief in alternative deities, proclaiming that God alone orchestrates the destiny of His people based on their covenant fidelity. It serves as a somber reminder of the severe spiritual consequences of persistently abandoning the one true God.